“I’m pleased to see the Northwest Agriculture Business Center receive this vital funding to help grow the rural economy of Skagit Valley. Our rural communities help create jobs, especially when provided with innovative tools like cooperative development grants,” DelBene said. “Cooperatives have enabled local farmers to pool resources to support infrastructure, reduce financial risks and increase access to new markets, and we should continue to support these important projects.”

Today, the USDA announced it was awarding 29 grants totaling $5.8 million to help rural cooperatives create jobs and support business expansion in 22 states – including Washington. This type of funding has helped more than 4,700 businesses.

The $200,000 in rural development funds for the Northwest Agriculture Business Center will be used for business and cooperative model technical assistance to local farmers in northwest Washington. In June, DelBene wrote a letter of support for the Northwest Agriculture Business Center’s grant application.

DelBene serves on the House Agriculture Committee and is ranking member of the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research.